Reader looking for a car that could last 60 years: What’s your advice?

A reader recently wrote the Car Talk guys — Tom and Ray Magliozzi — with an interesting, albeit strange, question:

DEAR TOM AND RAY: I’m 35, and I would like to purchase a diesel SUV that will last the rest of my life … ideally, into my 90s. My idea is that diesel engines last longer and that my family and I could rack up 500,000-600,000 miles on whatever we buy during my lifetime.

I was thinking of buying a BMW, Volkswagen, Audi or Mercedes. All of them are around the same price. However, I cannot purchase a car that costs the same as my house. So, I’d probably purchase it used from a dealer or individual. At least, that is what I’m thinking. Am I crazy, or is this doable? I don’t like spending that much up front, but if we can realistically keep the vehicle for the next 60 years, it would be worth it.

P.S.: I do not have a garage, so something that doesn’t rust out quickly is preferable. — Mike

What would be your advice to Mike? (See the answer Tom and Ray gave in this Sunday’s InMotion section.)

Mike is thinking the answer for his need of a vehicle that could last 60 years is a diesel SUV, such as this Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC 4MATIC or Volkswagen Touareg TDI, below. (Mercedes-Benz)